In Karasouli Military Cemetery, Greece is the Commonwealth War Grave of Second Lieutenant Joseph James Watson, D.C.M., serving with the “F” Battery 99th Brigade Royal Field Artillery who died 16/08/1918.
He was the husband of Jane Watson, of 538, Fulham Road, London.
Pauline Priano has submitted the following:-
Joseph James Watson was born at Gateshead, historically in County Durham, one of 9 known children, the 2nd born of 5 sons. He had 2 older and 2 younger sisters.
His father Joseph James Watson Snr. and mother Elizabeth Charlton were both born 1856, natives of Newcastle upon Tyne where they were married, August 13th 1876. Newly married they settled at Swalwell, where Henry was born in 1878, before moving to Newcastle where Frances was born in 1880, then to 3 Eton Street, Gateshead, where Catherine Ann was born 1883, Joseph James 1885, John William 1888, Annie 1890, Robert 1893, Matthew 1896 and Elizabeth in 1898. Their father was initially employed as a draper’s assistant, an occupation he continued even after they moved to 120, Askew Road.
In 1901, at the age of 15, Joseph James was an apprentice house painter and the eldest of his siblings still living with his family at 8, Liddell Terrace. He later was employed by the Redheugh Gas Works.
Prior to the commencement of WW1 Joseph James had already joined the Army and was serving in India with the 75th Battery Royal Field Artillery, rank unspecified. His future wife, Miss Jane Whitehead, a native of Gateshead, born June 18th 1886, remained in England living with a Mrs Follett at 13, Regent Terrace, Gateshead, October 3rd 1910. Joseph James requested that she be given passage to India in order that they be married. Before it arrived Jane had given birth to a child (gender unspecified). July 2nd 1911 but confirmed her desire to travel to India and had supplied the birth certificate of the child she wished to bring with her. A request was placed with the relevant authorities on July 14th 1911 who gave their permission on August 7th 1911 for their passage. Joseph James and Jane were still waiting one month later for her pass. It finally arrived and they departed aboard the Reiva bound for Karachi, November 9th 1911, where Joseph James and Jane were married and went on to have a further 2 children.
On the outbreak of war the 75th Battery R.F.A. was in Peshawar, part of the 1st Indian Brigade. They returned to England where the 75th Battery was transferred to the 165th Brigade November 22nd 1914 and assigned to the 28th Division December 1914. Joseph James departed with the Royal Field Artillery to France as a Bombardier, rising to the rank of Sergeant. It was during this time that he was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal for gallant conduct.
The citation reads, 36739 Sergeant J. J. Watson 22nd Trench Mortar Bty., R. F. A. (LG 5 Aug. 1915)
For gallant conduct and devotion to duty on 24th May, 1915.
When the infantry had been heavily shelled and compelled to leave their trenches by poison gas, near Shell Trap Farm, he remained behind and was badly gassed in an attempt to carry away his guns.
He was hospitalised and, once fully recovered, rejoined his division which in October 1915 had been sent to Egypt via Marseilles and the following month to Salonika where it remained for the remainder of the war.
Sergeant Watson was offered a commission in February 1918 whilst serving with “F” Battery 99th Brigade R. F. A., attached to the 22nd Division, in action during the Battles of Doiran. He was promoted to the rank of 2nd Lieutenant.
2nd Lieutenant Joseph James Watson was killed in action August 16th 1918 and interred at Karasouli Military Cemetery, on the edge of the town of Polykastro (formally Karasouli), Greece memorial reference D 929. He was 33 years of age.
When her husband was posted to France Jane and her children had returned to England settling at Rose Street, Gateshead. Jane commissioned at the cost of 3 shillings 2 pence an additional inscription to be added to his memorial it reads, “Rest In Peace”.
Jane Watson nee Whitehouse left the north east after the demise of her husband and moved to 538, Fulham Road, London where she received his awards of The Indian General Service Medal, 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and the Distinguished Conduct Medal.
In God’s safe keeping. Rest In Peace.
The Newcastle Journal 12/09/1918 reports:-
SECOND-LT. J. WATSON, D.C.M. Mrs Lichfield, 9, Liddell Terrace, Bensham, Gateshead, has received word that her brother, Second- Lieut. Joseph James Watson, D.C.M., R.F.A., was killed on August 16th while serving with the Salonika Forces. He went out to France as a bombardier with the First Expeditionary Force. He was wounded and was awarded the D.C.M. the same year. After recovery he went out to Salonika, where received his commission six months’ previous to his death.
Joseph James Watson is remembered at Bensham on B134.02, at Redheugh on R43.01 and at Teams on T68.02
